** Scientists Discover Mysterious Radioactive Anomaly in Pacific Ocean **

** A recent study published in *Science Advances* challenges long-held beliefs regarding the emergence of intelligent life on Earth, suggesting that it may not be as rare as previously thought. The study's lead author, Dan Mills from the University of Munich, stated, "We're arguing that intelligent life may not require a series of lucky breaks to exist," indicating that human intelligence developed in tandem with favorable geological conditions rather than through improbable evolutionary events. Historically, scientists subscribed to the "hard steps" model proposed by physicist Brandon Carter in 1983, which posited that specific rare occurrences were necessary for intelligent life to evolve. However, this new research proposes a model based on the predictable geological processes that create environments for life, asserting that our emergence was timely rather than fortuitous. Co-author Jason Wright, a professor at Penn State University, emphasized the importance of geological timescales in understanding life’s evolution, suggesting that life evolves at a pace dictated by planetary changes. The findings may open new avenues for research into extraterrestrial life and enhance our understanding of our own origins. **

** U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants peace" regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Following a recent phone call with both leaders, Trump emphasized that Ukraine will play a role in any peace negotiations. Critics, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, warned against trusting Putin’s overtures, advocating for a united position among Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. before negotiations commence. Trump remarked, "The Ukraine war has to end," highlighting the urgent need for resolution. However, European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, expressed concerns, arguing that any peace initiative must not be "dictated" to Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also insisted that Kyiv must be included in discussions. Tensions surrounding these comments have escalated, especially in light of a recent car ramming attack in Munich, reportedly involving an Afghan asylum seeker, resulting in at least 30 injuries. This incident has reignited debate over Germany's migration policies ahead of upcoming elections. **

** On Sunday, approximately 160,000 protesters gathered at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to oppose proposed immigration restrictions backed by opposition conservatives and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The rally, organized against a draft bill introduced by Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), marked a significant public outcry against perceived far-right collaboration, with demonstrators chanting slogans like "no cooperation with the AfD." Merz's immigration bill, which aimed to limit family reunification for certain refugees, failed to gain majority support in the Bundestag, leading to criticism of his leadership before the upcoming national elections on February 23. Opponents, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and the Greens, argued the legislation would not effectively address security concerns and would contravene European laws. The protests were part of a larger movement, with similar demonstrations reported in cities across Germany, reflecting widespread resistance to shifting immigration policies. A recent poll indicated that while two-thirds of the public support stricter immigration laws, there remains significant opposition to the alliance with the far-right AfD. **